Hereward told them all that they needed to know of that fratricidal
strife; and then to Thord Gunlaugsson,--
"Have you any token that this is true? Mind what I warned you, if you
lied!"
"This have I, Earl and ladies," and he drew from his bosom a reliquary.
"Ulf the marshal took this off his neck, and bade me give it to none but
his lady. Therefore, with your pardon, Sir Earl, I did not tell you that I
had it, not knowing whether you were an honest man."
"Thou hast done well, and an honest man thou shall find me. Come home, and
I will feed thee at my own table; for I have been a sea-rover and a Viking
myself."
They left the reliquary with the ladies, and went.
"See to this good man, Martin."
"That will I, as the apple of my eye."
And Hereward went into Torfrida's room.
"I have news, news!"
"So have I."
"Harold Hardraade is slain, and Tosti too!"
"Where? how?"
"Harold Godwinsson slew them by York."
"Brother has slain brother? O God that died on cross!" murmured Torfrida,
"when will men look to thee, and have mercy on their own souls? But,
Hereward, I have news,--news more terrible by far. It came an hour ago. I
have been dreading your coming back."
"Say on. If Harold Hardraade is dead, no worse can happen."
"But Harold Godwinsson is dead!"
"Dead! Who next? William of Normandy? The world seems coming to an end, as
the monks say it will soon.
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